Hundreds of buildings across Chicago have been cited repeatedly for violating heat-requirement ordinances, which are in effect from November through May.
Sidnee King
Sidnee King joined the Illinois Answers Project (BGA) in late 2020 as an investigative reporter covering the impacts of Chicago, Cook County and Illinois government action on communities of color. Sidnee is a metro Detroit native who received her master's degree from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism just before joining the BGA. She is also a proud graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C. You can find some of Sidnee's previous work published in outlets like The Washington Post, Vox.com, and the Michigan Chronicle.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Ald. Rod Sawyer did legal work for firm that bought Beverly home for $32K from man with dementia
A judge later invalidated the sale, but Sawyer, who is running for mayor, notes he was dismissed from the court case involving the purchase, with no finding of wrongdoing
Posted inInvestigations
Invited in Only to be Shut Out
The city’s development initiative, Invest South/West has brought hope to areas long ignored by developers and the promise of hundreds of millions of dollars. But some residents say they’ve been left out of real decision-making on the major projects coming to their areas.
Posted inInvestigations
Tax sale process hits Black homeowners hardest
The property tax sale process that can result in people losing their homes robs those communities of generational wealth, critics say. And Cook County’s last-chance fund to help make some of those homeowners whole is years behind in paying claims.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity
Complaints Mount on Park District Cameras
A Better Government Association investigation into the unfair placement of Park District security cameras has sparked renewed criticism from park neighborhoods and city council members about the quality and ineffectiveness of the expensive program
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity
Security Cameras Scarce in Parks with Most Reported Crimes
Only 16 of the 600 parks in city neighborhoods have security cameras, but many of them are in white, wealthy neighborhoods without much of a crime problem. Many parks in higher-crime areas, including more neighborhoods of color, have no cameras at all despite requests from residents.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity
Chicago Park District Has History of Racism Allegations
From federal lawsuits to scathing reports, the administration of the city’s greenspaces has for decades come under fire on grounds that underserved communities are treated unfairly
Posted inCriminal Justice & Public Safety
Few Programs Steer Child Carjackers Away From Trouble
Children as young as 13 have been caught hijacking cars in Chicago. Experts say first-time arrestees can’t get the intervention they need.
